My perspective on: Why kpop?
I guess the first question that pops up in a non-kpoper’s mind when you tell them you’re into kpop is – WHY? “You don't even understand a single word they are singing!” Do you guys get that a lot? CAUSE I FREAKING DO.
And every time I try explaining it to them, I just get tongue-tied. So, I’m taking the chance right now, to try to list out 5 reasons of why we got into kpop, and stuck to it. These are not the reasons why ALL kpopers joined the fandom, just my own PERSONAL perspectives on the top 5 reasons kay? Hope that at least some of the following examples will hit the spot (: here goes……………………
Okay, I admit there are some of us got introduced into the world of kpop because of the cuteness of the guys. Well, in fact most of us! You can deny it all you want, but looks are surely part of the reason you like your group. It’s a fact! You can’t adore something if you don’t think their looks are appealing to you right? But although I admit that most of us are attracted to their looks that is NOT the main reason.
We were in fact introduced, and maybe got interested in them through looks, but we stayed because of other factors. Looks can’t really convince us to stay in this fandom for so long ok?! Although there ARE a few shallow fangirls that are in this fandom plainly for the looks, but to us REAL kpopers, there is so much more that adds up to that pretty face, which will be included in the following examples.
Oh yeah, and about plastic surgery, a lot of non-kpopers out there assumes that every single freaking idol had plastic surgery. Excuse me?!??! Many Korean celebrities did get plastic surgery, but not everyone! Don’t go around putting down kpopers, saying that our idols are made of plastic kay? Some are, but many others are natural too! So please find out whether that particular idol did plastic surgery before you bash them ok? You will only sound stupid if you accuse them without prove.
It may be shocking to you, but kpop idols CAN SING. *rolls eyes sarcastically * I hate how most non-kpopers have that totally bias concept that kpop idols are just super mainstream singers that can’t produce real music AND uses auto tune. Okay, I can’t deny there are some idols out there that got to the top even without a good voice, but seriously, there are still more than half that can sing decently ok?! So just stop being so judgmental about the abilities of kpop singers!
In fact, some of them have a really awesome voice. And don’t assume that they only produce those kinda club songs that appeals to teens. Many of them chose to be an idol singer because they have the passion for music, just like any other artist out there. And look at the videos I’m gonna link ya’ll later, see how much they pour out their feelings when they sing. Don’t you think it is damn unfair how they always get categorized as singers that only have looks and not talent? Just because they focus more on their performance doesn’t mean they can’t sing.
so, here are some examples to prove non-kpopers wrong:
[The really talented Ailee covering Alicia Key’s Girl on Fire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfqFJ7dh86w there’s just nothing else to say. They video proves it all. OUT OF THIS WORLD.]
[Beast’s main vocal, Yang Yoseop singing omma (which means mom) by Ra.D - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsGGH0qouiw just look at how much emotion he puts into singing the song. You can even hear the tremble of his voice at the end.]
[TVXQ, the legend, totally telling you how to do acapella right - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-iUuhTpti8 They’re one of the most respected kpop idols ever, their singing skills are mind blowing, another prove that kpop idols have some real talent.]
[SISTAR’s Hyorin showcasing the versatility of her voice - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkP8kHJapBw She is really one of the best singers in the kpop idol industry. This video is just one of the many amazing songs she sang. Go and check out the others! You won’t regret it. ]
[Taeyang of Big Bang singing this totally beautiful cover - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEOCr4fWLZg I was never a big fan of big bang, but when I heard this cover, I was like WOW this is really nice. The the emotions baby! Feeling the music, that’s what it’s all about.]
[The trio from Girls Generation, Tiffany, Taeyeon and Seohyun singing twinkle - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WL5N9H4pWI in case you doubt whether they’re lip-syncing or not, here’s the MR REMOVED version. And in case you don’t know what that means, “‘MR removed’ videos minimizes any MR (music recorded) in the song and maximizes the vocal of the singer – the singer’s vocal will be the only thing audible possible.”]
[My personal favorite, Baek Yerin from 15& covering Chrisette Michele’s Like a Dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOETXy9wS4M Fun fact: both members of 15& are 15. And can you believe how much feelings she manage to “transfer” into her singing? She’s was totally grooving and feeling the song. I’m really impressed by how a 15 year old manages to sing a song like that.]
I could go on and on and give you guys a zillion examples of how so many kpop idols can actually sing. But this is really getting long winded, so if you’re really interested, message me for some other videos, or just go Google it. I hope I was able to prove to you guys that kpop idols can sing, and has the passion for music just like any talented singers out there. SO STOP JUDGING THEM!
Some of our favorite idols have voices that are really touching, sweet, powerful, soulful etc. This is why we stayed on in this fandom! Their voices captured out attention, and suddenly, we’re in love with their voice. It’s a scam people. Once you get in, you can’t get out! ㅋㅋㅋ
And other “normal” English pop fans out there are also attracted by the singers voice, so why can’t we? Why do some of you non-kpopers think we’re just into them for their looks and not their voice, just because we can’t understand the language? Pffttt. well, you can say that we never really thought of the language as a barrier from enjoying amazing voices.
Their Personality/Dorkiness
Personality is really important right? Even for normal people. Plus as an idol, most of your personal information is shared with the world. Hence, fangirls knows quite a lot about their idols. That’s why it’s impossible for an idol to have a totally suckish personality and still have a large fan base. Instead, most of the idols get fans by having really good personalities. Most of us kpopers will say that we like our idols maybe because they’re really sweet, filial to their parents, kind, thoughtful, romantic, responsible, caring etc. etc. That is what make us so dedicated to them, by knowing that they’re actually really good people.
And one of the important personality traits that kpop idols have is DORKINESS. OMG this is the cutest thing about the whole kpop fandom. Almost ALL kpop idols are freaking big dorks. At first I thought it was only my bias group, but then I found out all the idols behaves the same. And you will never understand how tremendously cute they look when they’re dorking around. Sometimes they really drive fangirls mad with their dorkiness. And I’m pretty sure that’s one of the main factors why we’re so into them, like we can’t find people as cute as them in our social circle.
I don’t know about you guys, but I personally think that the Korean language sounds really beautiful. I also wanna take this opportunity to talk about whether kpopers actually know what we’re listening to. For fans that know Korean, OF COURSE they understand it. But for people like me, who didn’t know a single word before joining the kpop fandom, NO we do not understand the WHOLE song.
You know, i didn’t really believe my other more “senior” kpopers friends at first, when they told me that they sort of understand the Korean songs the listen to. I was like, how is that possible? You don’t speak nor write the language, how could you understand it? But I know kpopers out there can relate to this, the more you listen to Korean songs, watch Korean dramas and variety shows, the more you understand the language. I started of not even knowing that Annyeong Haseyo means hello! But now, i can even sort of make out what they’re saying. It’s pretty cool how you unknowingly learn a new language through this fandom.
And back to the topic, I think a portion of kpopers out there fell in love with the Korean language first, before they got into kpop. The beauty of the language just attracts us. It’s super hard to explain, but we just love how the words sound? Kinda……….and the more we listen to it, the more we like the language, and that leaves us coming back for more.
No matter what the language is, no matter what fandom you’re in, the music, that’s what binds us together right? We’re all here just to enjoy the genre of music that we feel suits us the best. And for us kpopers, we feel that kpop is really the type of music that fits us. Well, some of you may think WTH?! How can a genre of music that you don’t even understand be your jam? You know what? I can’t really put my finger on it either. It’s just that speckle of something that makes kpop more attractive for us. I guess as I’ve mentioned above, the language is just really nice. But also the tune, the vibe to it and stuff……..you know? Maybe it’s the different style of kpop producers? Maybe they have this different way of composing that adds that little spice to kpop. Yeah…..i guess it’s just that this type of music, kpop, attracts us more.
Phew.......so, finally it’s done! You have no idea how many times I re-wrote this. There is just too much to cover, and too many reasons to just narrow it down to 5. But I tried my best, and I hope that the 5 reasons I’ve listed will be relevant to the kpopers out there. If you guys have any more opinions on why kpopers chose to get into kpop or other stuff, don't hesitate to inbox me (: And as I've mentioned before above, there are so many more talented kpop singers that I didn't manage to link you guys, and I’m really sorry if I missed out some really good examples. I’ll try harder next time!
